Week 1: Grading the SEC quarterbacks

It’s hard to argue with an 11-1 start to the season for SEC schools. As a result, we have some pretty nice things to say about
the league’s quarterback play.

Missouri’s Drew Lock sits at the head of the class this week, with a SEC-record-tying 7 touchdown passes in a win against
Missouri State.

On the other hand, Florida’s Feleipe Franks and Malik Zaire failed to impress in the season opener. In fairness, they were
facing a pretty good Michigan defense.

Here is a grade for every SEC quarterback for Week 1:

Drew Lock, Missouri: A+

Stats: 21 of 34 for 521 yards, 7 TDs, INT

When one ties the SEC record for touchdown passes, as Drew Lock did in Missouri’s 72-43 win against Missouri State, it’s hard
to give out anything less than the best grade. He led the Tigers to scores on 11 of his 15 drives, and considering how poorly
the defense played in allowing 35 first-half points, it’s a good thing he brought his A+ game.

Shea Patterson, Ole Miss: A+

Stats: 28 of 35 for 429 yards, 4 TDs

Shea Patterson made sure the opening game of the Matt Luke era was a successful one, powering the Rebels to a 47-27 win. The
sophomore carved up the Jaguars, helping receiver A.J. Brown set a school record with 233 receiving yards. This could have
been a tricky game for a program that’s had a rough offseason. Patterson clearly had other plans.

Nick Fitzgerald/Keytaon Thompson, Mississippi State: A

Charleston Southern is a pretty good FCS squad, but Mississippi State made short work of it in a 49-0 romp. The numbers weren’t
spectacular, but they were efficient. The Bulldogs piled up 555 yards of offense without turning it over. When the defense
is allowing 33 yards of total offense and only 2 first downs, efficient is more than enough.

Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt: A

Stats: 20 of 28 for 296 yards, 3 TDs

Kyle Shurmur picked up where he left off at the end of last season with a dominant performance in the Commodores’ 28-6 pasting
of Middle Tennessee. On a day in which the Blue Raiders loaded up to stop the run, Shurmur hit nine different receivers and
made them pay for their tactic. It’s hard to imagine a more encouraging start for Vanderbilt.

Jake Bentley, South Carolina: A-

Stats: 17 of 29 for 215 yards, 3 TDs, INT

In South Carolina’s 35-28 win against N.C. State at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Jake Bentley showed flashes
of the talent that has fans and pundits alike so excited. Check out this third-quarter strike to Deebo Samuel:

He made a couple of questionable throws, one of which was picked off, but on a day in which the running game failed to produce
(21 carries, 31 yards), he carried the mail against a tough opponent.

Danny Etling/Myles Brennan, LSU: B

Stats: Etling — 14 of 17 for 173 yards; Brennan — 1 of 1 for 12 yards

The LSU defense pitched a shutout, and the ground game wore down BYU in a 27-0 win in New Orleans. But Danny Etling was the
perfect counterweight to that bruising rushing attack, hitting eight different targets and making all of the little plays
that add up to winning football.

Jalen Hurts, Alabama: C

Stats: 10 of 18 for 96 yards, TD; 15 rushes for 55 yards

It wasn’t a Heisman-worthy performance, but it was enough as Alabama rode its defense to a 24-7 triumph over Florida State.
Jalen Hurts connected with Calvin Ridley for a 53-yard touchdown, but endured long stretches where he struggled to find room
to operate against the Seminoles. But he was careful with the football while his defense forced 3 turnovers. It was a performance
that was more mature than anything else.

Jake Fromm/Jacob Eason/Brice Ramsey, Georgia: C+

There’s a lot to unpack from the quarterback position from Georgia’s comfortable 31-10 win against Appalachian State. Jacob
Eason left early with a knee sprain and Brice Ramsey got off the bench in the fourth quarter to throw 2 passes — both of which
were picked off. That weighs down the team grade for Jake Fromm, who was by far the best of the bunch. The freshman looked
poised, didn’t commit a turnover and may have ignited a quarterback controversy in Athens.

Stephen Johnson, Kentucky: C+

Stats: 11 of 20 for 176 yards, TD; 5 rushes for 10 yards, TD

Al Davis, long time owner of the Raiders, said it best: “Just win baby.” That was Kentucky’s approach in a 24-17 road victory
at Southern Miss. Stephen Johnson took care of the football, orchestrated three scoring drives and helped offset a sub-par
effort from the ground game (78 yards). He also hit eight different receivers and picked up a win away from home. Not a bad
day’s work, overall.

Austin Allen/Cole Kelley, Arkansas: C

Some games require spectacular quarterback play. Arkansas’ 49-7 demolition of Florida A&amp;M did not. Austin Allen shook
off a slow start to provide a nice compliment for a running game that tallied 236 yards and 4 touchdowns. Cole Kelley added
a touchdown toss in mop-up duty.

Jarrett Stidham, Auburn: C-

Stats: 14 of 24 for 185 yards, 2 TDs, INT; 9 rushes for 17 yards, TD

Jarrett Stidham looked a little rusty in Auburn’s 41-7 victory against Georgia Southern, but certainly had his moments while
accounting for three scores. He did have a fumble and an interception, however. Considering it had been almost two years since
he had taken a meaningful snap in a game, he didn’t fare all that badly.

Feleipe Franks/Malik Zaire, Florida: F

Stats: Franks — 5 of 9 for 75 yards; Zaire — 9 of 17 for 106 yards

The nicest thing you can say about Florida’s quarterbacks in a 33-17 loss to Michigan is that they didn’t turn the football
over more than once. Of course, that Malik Zaire fumble on his fifth sack of the day was recovered for a Michigan touchdown.
Neither quarterback was particularly effective, and the offense managed only three points all day. It looks like it’s back
to the drawing board for the Gators at quarterback.